General
Mak-Sida Meet to ignite Research Agenda
The Swedish Ambassador to Uganda, H.E Urban Andersson, has re-affirmed his country’s commitment to supporting research and innovations in Makerere University and Uganda, as a way of contributing to national development, social transformation and poverty eradication. H.E Andersson was speaking at the Science Day for the Makerere-Sida Research Cooperation at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security (CoVAB), on 19th November 2013. This was part of an ongoing Annual Review Meeting for the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) research support to Makerere University, running from 18th – 27th November 2013. The Makerere-Sida Phase III Bilateral Research programme (2010-2014) is worth Swedish Krona (SEK) 180 million.
“Rural areas have been pointed out as key for Uganda’s development with 80% of the population staying there. I have noted that the challenges faced by people in rural areas have been pointed out in most of your presentations, which also provide recommendations and policy directions for improving livelihoods in rural areas. We are also glad that your focus on Northern Uganda will bring new knowledge of the disease potential, help in reducing the spread of diseases in animals, which also affect human beings. This will fit in well with why we support research, with the end goal of poverty reduction,” he said. The Ambassador also pointed out that the next phase of the MAK-Sida Bilateral Research Grant for Phase 1V, 2015 to 2020 was on its way to continue supporting research and innovations relevant to today’s fast changing world.
At the opening of the Annual Review Meeting held on 18th November 2013 at the Main Library, the Vice Chancellor, Professor John Ddumba-Ssentamu was represented by the Acting Vice Chancellor Associate Professor Arch. Barnabas Nawangwe, who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Finance and Administration.
“Makerere University and Uganda in general have enjoyed and continue to benefit from the generosity of the Royal Government of Sweden in the areas of human resources capacity building, research, library services/information technology and infrastructural development. Sida support has also contributed to the enhancement of centres of excellence in waste management, health systems research, and renewable energy research, among others. Despite these achievements, the University still faces challenges like inadequate infrastructure and we appreciate more support,” read the Vice Chancellor’s speech.
The Director of Research and Graduate Training, Professor Mukadasi Buyinza, welcomed participants to the MAK-Sida Annual Review Meeting that provides a platform for dissemination of research, technology and innovations at Makerere University. The Review also presents an opportunity to Makerere University to take stock of her research achievements and their strength in contributing to the national development agenda.
Professor Buyinza appreciated Sida for the continued support to Makerere University and also thanked the University Management for creating an environment conducive to research. “There is will from Management for research to take place and we have all the support we need. With the Sida and Management support, we are empowered to champion the University Research Agenda. During the Phase III (2010-2014), Sida has supported 100 PhDs; 70 Masters and 20 Post Doctoral Research grants. We are also happy to report that we have been granted the Year 2015 as a bridging year in preparation for the MAK-Sida Phase IV Bilateral Research Grant. We are grateful for this support,” he said.
He further saluted Sida for supporting cross cutting courses and services critical in knowledge creation and sharpening of people’s minds. “In Phase III, 700 graduate students have been trained in cross cutting courses such as research management, philosophy of methods, statistical application and information competence management; and senior researchers of Makerere University have undertaken skills enhancement courses including supervision and mentorship, research and financial management,” he explained.
The highly interactive Science Day was coordinated by Dr. David Owiny, of the Vet Sub-programme. “This is the 3rd Science Day since the beginning of the MAK-Sida Phase III. Our collaboration with the Swedish people has been very successful. Together with the Swedish Agricultural University, we are training five (5) PhD students and their research is on a steady path to completion. They are in the final stages of their doctoral studies and will graduate next year,” he said.
In an energetic presentation, the Principal of CoVAB, Professor John David Kabasa, called for a paradigm shift in the education sector if the current and future generations are to be saved from poverty and unemployment. “Peasants fed us and sustained the economy for the last 50 years. Since independence, the education system has been producing people to administer peasants, but not learning how to manage the production and industrial processes. That is why Uganda plans to transform from a peasantry to a middle income economy as per the National Vision 2040,” he asserted. “It is now time to change the model. We need to graduate people with skills to become entrepreneurs or else we are in for a social tsunami. There are a lot of processes from the farm to the table. The industry has so many opportunities in the value-addition chain. Why should supermarkets continue to be highly stocked with products from abroad?” he wondered.
He reasoned that today’s problems cannot be solved using the same methods that created them. “CoVAB has embraced the SPEDA model to harness the entrepreneur, vocational and intellectual skills for high level productivity in the animal industry. It is a blended model that involves working with all people in different sectors; academic, community, public and private sector to graduate a skilled entrepreneur,” explained Professor Kabasa.
The Science Day involved presentations from PhD students, Denis Muhangi, Kokas Ikwap, Benon Kanyima, Denis Rwabiita Mugizi and Margaret Nabukenya, all sponsored by Sida. Denis Muhangi presented the Practices in Pig Value Chain in Uganda: Implications to transmission of African Swine Fever. His study focused on documenting the different factors and practices within the pig value chain that could influence the transmission of African Swine Fever and also the potential risk factors for African Swine Fever outbreaks on farms.
Kokas Ikwap conducted a study on the magnitude of salmonellae infections in pigs in Gulu and Soroti. In his findings, Ikwap observed that 39% of the households had at least one animal succumbing to salmonellae infection, which presents with diarrhea. He stressed that this was dangerous because salmonellae also affects human beings. His study also revealed that out of the 56 samples taken, there were 20 different serotypes of salmonellae identified.
In his study, Benon Kanyima recommended a format to support post-strife rural urban immigrants engaging in urban and peri-urban dairy farming and to establish a Dairy Cow Welfare Policy in Uganda, to curb abuse of cows.
Denis Rwabiita Mugizi focused on the magnitude and risk factor of brucellosis in Gulu and Soroti district. His findings revealed that the disease was more prominent in the older animals of five years and above. Animals brought to these districts from Western Uganda had a higher chance of testing positive to brucellosis. He pointed out that brucellosis continues to be passed on to humans and that the current strain of this infection is resistant to some drugs.
Dr. Maria Nassuna, one of the supervisors emphasized that engaging in this research across different parts of the country was quite fulfilling, because the Supervisors took off time to go to the field with students and therefore made more informed supervision of the research projects.
Another PhD student, Margaret Nabukenya, carried out research on the threat of Helminthosis amongst goats in Gulu and Mpigi district. Her findings reveal that Helminthosis, a common disease in goats, is caused by infections due to various gastro-intestinal parasites. It leads to poor weight gain in these animals. Her findings further reveal that 5.2% of the country's GDP is from livestock products.
An exhibition to showcase the latest innovations from CoVAB, was organized as a key highlight of the Science Day. It involved demonstration of projects on posters and bee-hive technology among others. Dr. David Owiny the Exhibition Coordinator pointed out that the projects on display, as funded by Sida as well as innovations on technologies under the AFRISA programme, were designed to answer to the needs of society by providing practical solutions.
After a guided tour of the exhibits, Ambassador Andersson could not hide his amazement. “I thank this College for working with multidisciplinary teams and using a holistic approach to research. It is also positive that you are working with other universities and partners in Uganda and the region,” he remarked.
On behalf of the college, the Principal, Professor John David Kabasa presented a gift to the Ambassador and to the Sida Desk Officer, Dr. Katri Pohjolainen as a token of appreciation for the continued support.
Dr. Ruth Muwazi of CoVAB gave a vote of thanks to all who had worked tirelessly to make the 3rd Science Day a success and also appreciated the invited guests for dedicating time to understand what CoVAB stands for.
The Review continued with an afternoon session, chaired by Associate Professor George Nasinyama of the Directorate of Research and Graduate Training. It was a Scientific Conference for Postdoctoral presentations, held in the New Library Building Extension. The presentations included:
- A landscape population Genomics Approach for Conservation of the Domestic Pig and Control of African Swine Fever in Uganda by Dr. Charles Masembe, College of Natural Sciences.
- Genetic Characterisation of Trypanosomia vivax-induced hemorrhagic syndrome strains and their spread in Ugandan perigame areas by Dr. Savino Biryomumaisho, College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio-Security.
- The Opportunities and Challenges of Redd for the Forest Resources Base and Rural Livelihoods In Uganda by Dr. J.J. Namaalwa.
- Growth Modeling of Exploitable Fish populations: A case study of Nile Perch in Lake Nabugabo, Uganda by Dr. Gladys Bwanika, College of Natural Sciences.
- Evaluation and surveillance of the impact of severe maternal and prenatal morbidity on health of women and children attending Mulago and Jinja referral health facilities by Dr. Dan Kaye, College of Health Sciences.
- Adaptation to Climate Change in Post Conflict Communities in Uganda: Building Resilient Livelihoods Paths by Dr. Paul K. Musali, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
- A theoretical approach for the compilation of the thesauruses in less documented languages by Dr. Celestino Orikiriza, College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
Through Sida support, Makerere University has been able to establish strong collaborations with leading universities including universities in Sweden. Makerere University has also benefitted from joint supervision, which has ensured high quality graduates.
Throughout the 8-day Annual Review Meeting, the team from Sweden and Directorate of Research and Graduate Training-Makerere University will hold discussions with researchers and beneficiaries under the MAK-Sida Bilateral Phase III Research Grant in the College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources and Bio Security; Makerere University Library; Quality Assurance Directorate; College of Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology; College of Health Sciences; Gender Mainstreaming Directorate, College of Natural Sciences and DICTS.
The Annual Review Meeting will close on 27th November 2013 with ‘Wrap-up’ plenary discussions from all unit sub programme Coordinators, Supervisors, Researchers and Students. The Wrap-up will be an interactive session in which all beneficiary units will agree on a road map and lay strategies to maximize the anticipated Phase IV Mak-Sida support.
“The Wrap-up session will be instrumental in getting all stakeholders focus in one direction for purposes of positioning this university at a highly competitive and desirable global trend. As a Directorate, we are positive that Makerere University is on the right track in research but we need to speak the same language across the entire university so that we attain a competitive edge in all disciplines,” asserted Prof. Mukadasi Buyinza, Director, Research and Graduate Training, Makerere University.
By: Ritah Namisango and Marion Alina, Public Relations Office
Photos by: Directorate of Research and Graduate Training and MAK Public Relations Office
When a delegation from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) visited Makerere University on 23rd July 2026, one of the biggest discussions was how universities can effectively manage research grants.
The MUST delegation, led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika Kibwika, visited Makerere to learn from the University’s experience in managing externally funded research projects. During the meeting, Makerere Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe revealed that while MUST managed research grants worth about UGX 13 billion in the last financial year, Makerere’s research portfolio now stands at approximately USD 250 million.
The discussion focused on the systems, policies and accountability measures that have enabled Makerere to manage one of the largest research portfolios in Africa.
Research Funding Built on Trust.
Prof. Nawangwe explained that Makerere’s research funding comes from different colleges and research units.
He noted that the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI) alone attracts about USD 70 million annually, while the School of Public Health receives approximately USD 30 million each year. Together, the two units account for nearly USD 100 million in research funding.
He said these grants are made possible because development partners trust the University to manage public resources responsibly.
“We must ensure proper accountability so that we don’t lose the trust of our donors and continue benefiting from their support,” Prof. Nawangwe said.
How Makerere Manages Research Grants.
Acting University Secretary Mr. Simon Kizito took the MUST delegation through the key requirements that every grant funded project must meet under Makerere’s Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU).
He explained that every research project must first be included in the University’s approved budget in line with the Public Finance Management Act before any funds can be spent.
He also emphasized that procurement under research grants must comply with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA) Act, regardless of the donor’s procurement guidelines.
“The Auditor General will pounce on you” if procurement procedures are not followed, he cautioned.
Mr. Kizito further explained that all assets purchased using grant funds, including vehicles and equipment, must be recorded in the University’s central assets register unless the funding agreement states otherwise.
He added that separate project bank accounts can only be opened with approval from the Accountant General, while all projects must submit both financial and narrative reports to funders and government and undergo regular audits.
University Bursar Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha noted that although grant funds do not appear directly in the University’s main financial statements, they are fully disclosed in the notes to the accounts and are audited annually before reports are submitted to Parliament.
Lessons from the Research and Innovation Fund.
The delegation also learnt about the Makerere Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF).
Representing the Fund, Dr. Roy William Mayega said Mak-RIF has invested about UGX 172 billion in research and innovation over the last seven financial years.
He explained that 70 percent of the funding supports competitive research grants, 10 percent is reserved for projects addressing national priorities, while the remaining funds support monitoring, evaluation and dissemination of research findings.
According to Dr. Mayega, the Fund has so far supported 1,480 research and innovation projects, with 53% completed and 47% still ongoing.
Looking Beyond Research Grants.
Director of Research, Innovation and Partnerships Prof. Robert Wamala encouraged the visiting delegation to look beyond simply winning research grants.
He emphasized the importance of investing in strong internal systems, using artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, and ensuring that research leads to publications, patents, commercialization and partnerships with industry.
He noted that universities should not only focus on attracting grants but also on translating research into solutions that benefit society.
Learning from Makerere’s experience.
Prof. Pauline Byakika Kibwika said MUST recently established a Research Institute to coordinate research activities and grant management under one structure. She explained that the University wanted to learn from Makerere’s experience as its own research portfolio continues to grow.
“We have come to learn from your achievements as well as the challenges, so that we can do things better,” she said.
She added that the visit marks the beginning of closer collaboration between the two institutions, with a follow up technical engagement planned to allow the MUST team to learn more about Makerere’s grant management systems, including the GAMSU online platform.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe and Members of Management on 23rd July 2026 hosted a delegation from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) led by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika. The visit follows the formation of the Grants Office under the newly opened MUST Research Institute. This delegation was therefore keen to benchmark Makerere University’s Grants Administration and Management Support Unit (GAMSU)’s experience as the office responsible for managing all MUST’s research and innovation funding takes shape.
Welcoming the delegation, most of whom are alumni of Makerere University, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe commended MUST on strides made in human capacity development throughout the 37 years of existence, particularly in the health sciences.
“We have collaborated in various areas, particularly in medicine – I see many of our researchers publishing together, and we have joint programmes, especially in HIV/AIDS research” the Vice Chancellor remarked, before adding “Our collaboration in medicine is very strong, and it would be good to expand this collaboration to other disciplines.”
Prof. Nawangwe emphasized that although this was a benchmarking visit, the learning process is two-way and as such, the team from Makerere is equally keen to learn from their MUST counterparts. “As a slightly smaller university, you may have more time to reflect on issues than we do,” he explained.
In her remarks, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika thanked the Vice Chancellor and University Management for accepting to host the benchmarking delegation, noting that it was a homecoming visit for her and several colleagues. She equally acknowledged that collaborations in Medicine take the lion’s share of existing work between two intuitions.
“Our largest faculty, formerly the Faculty of Medicine, has recently been renamed the Faculty of Health Sciences to better reflect its broader mandate. However, our other faculties include: Faculty of Science, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Computing and Informatics, and the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology (Engineering)” she explained.
She added that in 2026, MUST established the Faculty of Agriculture, Environment and Veterinary Sciences, and is restructuring the Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies to strengthen its focus as a science and technology university. Away from academia, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika shared that MUST’s hitherto semi-autonomous research centres had been brought under the umbrella of a Research Institute, “to provide a coordinated framework for research.”
They include the Centre of: Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and Traditional Medicine; Innovation and Technology Transfer; Tropical Forest Conservation; Maternal, Newborn and Child Health; Entrepreneurship; and Public Policy and Economic Data.
Turning to the gist of the visit, Prof. Byakika-Kibwika noted that as MUST continues to restructure its units and grow it’s grants portfolio, tapping into Makerere University’s wealth of experience in attracting and managing funding from both the Government and development partners is inevitable.
“Makerere, as the leading university in the country, continues to support other universities, and we would like to benefit from that experience,” Prof. Byakika-Kibwika remarked. “We hope to learn from both your achievements and your challenges so that we can improve our own systems” she concluded.
The meeting was attended by the Acting University Secretary-Mr. Simon Kizito, University Bursar-Mr. Evarist Bainomugisha, Director Research, Innovation and Partnerships-Prof. Robert Wamala, Director Research and Graduate Training-Prof. Julius Kikooma, Head GAMSU- Prof. Sylvia Antonia Nakimera Nannyonga-Tamusuza, Member of Makerere University Research and Innovations Fund (Mak-RIF) Coordinator-Dr. Roy William Mayega and Advancement Office’s Mr. Vincent Lubega Nsamba.
The MUST delegation included; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic Affairs)-Prof. Joseph Ngonzi, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance and Administration)-Prof. Robert Bitariho, University Secretary-Mr. Vincent Kansiime Kwatampora, and Chief Human Resources Officer-Mr. Prinari Behangana. Others included Finance Manager-CPA Annah Atuhaire, MUST Research Institute Chief Research Officer-Assoc. Prof. Angella Musiimenta, Principal Legal Officer-Mr. Timothy Mugumya, Deputy Secretary (Planning)-Ms. Robinah Nakakeeto and Dean Faculty of Business and Management Sciences-Dr. John Baguma Kule.
By Murungi Gloria N.
Building a century of excellence, Makerere University Strategic Plan 2026-2030 lays a clear roadmap to strengthen research, innovation, transformative education as well as national and global development over the next five years.
Makerere University launches the strategic plan 2025-2030 central (c) Hon. Henry Musasizi, left (L) Mrs. Lorna Magara, second right Guild President Makerere University, third right Prof. Barnabus Nawangwe
On Thursday 2nd July 2026, at Makerere Main Campus, the launching event gathered government leaders, development partners, university leaders and dignitaries such the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, representative of the Executive Director of the National Planning Authority as well as the University Vice Chancellor. Makerere launched its strategic plan under the theme; ‘Optimizing the University’s Research Potential for National and Global Transformation.’
Preparing the strategic plan
‘Preparing this plan has been a process,’ the Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration, Prof. Herny Alinaitwe said. He emphasized that the strategic plan was developed through careful consultation, review and participation rather than being created in isolation. The previous Makerere University plan used to have long term of 10years. However, around 2019-2020 the National Planning Authority advised to adjust to the five years of National Development Plan (NDP IV) ensuring that the University contributes directly to the country’s development.
Prof. Henry Alinaitwe
Accelerating to national transformation
The Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, began his speech by reaffirming University’s long-term vision. ‘Our vision is to be an outstanding leader of knowledge generation for societal transformation and development.’ He added the Makerere’s mission is to provide transformative and innovative teaching, learning, research and service responsive to dynamic national and global needs.
He emphasised that the new strategic plan is designed to transform Makerere into a research-led University and for this to happen we need to have more than 419 professors and 473 associate professors. Currently the university has 73 professors and 144 associate professors.
Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe
‘We are not removing undergraduate programmes but we want to reduce them gradually and increase graduate numbers because those are the ones going to do the innovations and transform the economy,’ continued Prof. Nawangwe. He stressed the postgraduate students play a crucial role in research and innovation and increasing postgraduates from 10% to 16.1% enrolment is therefore central to achieving the University’s vison of becoming a leading research institution.
He said, ‘Makerere University continues to contribute its fair share to transforming human capital in the country and economic development.’ He thanked and encouraged the government and other partners to further increase the goodwill towards the institution.
‘Today marks not the end of the process but the beginning of an even greater responsibility it’s successful implementation,’ noted the Chairperson of Makerere University Council, Mrs. Lorna Magara. reminded stakeholders that the launch is only the first step and its success will depend on faithful implementation.
She highlighted the central roles of higher education, research and innovation in Uganda’s economic transformation. ‘Let us therefore move with courage, lead with integrity, purse excellence without compromise and together we will build a much stronger Makerere for a stronger Uganda.’
Transformation objectives
Prof. Nawangwe and the chairperson University Council Mrs. Lorna presented possible targets in the strategic plan, among them increasing PhD student enrolment from 15% to 35%, registered patents from 15 to 45, commercialised innovations from 25 to 65, STEM enrolment from 32% to 55%, postgraduate enrolment from 3700 to 7000 by 2030 and raise graduate employability from 45% to 65%within six months of graduation.
Mrs. Lorna Magara
Government commitment to the strategic plan
Speaking as the Guest of Honor, Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi launched the strategic plan 2025-2030 describing it as a timely and forward-looking roadmap that aligns with Uganda’s vision 2040, the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), and the country’s Tenfold Growth Strategy.
Hon. Henry Musasizi
‘This Strategic plan comes at an important time as the country works to grow its economy from about USD50 billion to over USD500 billion by 2040.’
The Chief Guest, Hon. Herny Musasizi noted that Uganda’s ambition to expand its economy from approximately USD50 billion to over USD500 billion by 2040 will require sustained investment in research, innovation, industrialisation and human capital development, with universities playing a central role in achieving these aspirations.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to continue working with Makerere University to build a growing income, industrialised and knowledge driven economy while stressing accountability, innovation and the need to apply research in solving Uganda’s development hardships. He also commended Makerere for aligning its strategic priorities with national development goals, explaining that such alignment would facilitate government support and resource allocation through the national budgeting process.
Leading to national economic transformation through universities
Reflecting on the central role of higher education in Uganda’s economic transformation, Samuel Kasule, the Senior Planner for Education and Skills, National Planning Authority appreciated Makerere roles.
Samuel Kasule
‘At the cornerstone of increased labour productivity is the role of universities especially in supporting the high impact sectors identified in the tenfold growth strategy,’ Mr. Kasule remarked.
He elaborated that universities are expected to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to drive innovation across sectors such as minerals, oil and gas, agro-industrialisation, tourism and agriculture. He also argued the by producing highly skilled human capital as well as fostering innovation institutions like Makerere University will play a pivotal role in increasing labour production and accelerate economic growth achieving Uganda’s ambition of becoming a USD500 billion from USD50 billion under the Tenfold Growth Strategy.
Conclusion
Guided by its strategies direction of excellence, accountability, professionalism, integrity and respect together with inclusivity, the University has reinforced its commitment to advancing quality education, research and innovation. The launch of strategic plan 2025-2030 reflects this commitment by positioning the University as a key partner in Uganda’s development and transformation, consistent with national priorities.
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